Research Training Program (RTP)

​The Australian Government has implemented changes to research block grant (RBG) arrangements for universities commencing 2017.

The arrangements establish the Research Training Program (RTP) which will replace three current programs—Australian Postgraduate Awards (APA), International Postgraduate Research Scholarships (IPRS), and the Research Training Scheme (RTS).

The RTP provides block grants, on a calendar year basis, to higher education providers (HEPs) to support both domestic and overseas students undertaking Research Doctorate and Research Masters degrees, known as higher degrees by research (HDRs).

The objectives of the RTP scheme are to:

provide flexible funding arrangements to support the training of domestic students and overseas students undertaking HDRs at Australian HEPs

deliver graduates with the skills required to build careers in academia and other sectors of the labour market

support collaboration between HEPs and industry and other research end-users

support overseas students undertaking HDR studies at Australian HEPs.

Students can be offered RTP scholarships for one or more of the following:

tuition fees offset

stipend for general living costs

allowances related to the ancillary cost of research degrees.

RTP scholarships are available for a research doctorate degree for a minimum of three years, up to a maximum of four years, at the discretion of the HEP.